Israeli officials have informed the United States this week about a plan to evacuate civilians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to sources. The plan aims to prevent harm to civilians by Israeli military operations in the area.
According to reports from the Associated Press, these unnamed officials indicated that Israel’s evacuation plan for civilians has not changed the position of the US government. The US has long been concerned that an Israeli incursion into Rafah could endanger innocent Palestinian civilians.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated at the Sedona Forum hosted by the McCain Institute, “Without such a (civilian evacuation) plan, we cannot support a large-scale military operation in Rafah because the destruction it would cause is unacceptable.”
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, Rafah has become a refuge for around 1.5 million Palestinians and a crucial entry point for international humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The United Nations humanitarian aid agency stated on Friday that if Israel were to enter Rafah, hundreds of thousands of people would face imminent danger.
Despite warnings from US President Joe Biden and other Western officials that actions in Rafah could harm civilians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination to root out Hamas in Rafah has not wavered.
US officials added that the civilian evacuation plan reported by Israel is not yet finalized, and both sides have agreed to continue discussions on the evacuation plan.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed reporters on Friday that Israel has not disclosed a “comprehensive” plan for possible action in Rafah to the White House. However, recent discussions between Biden, Netanyahu, and senior officials from Israel and the US have touched on this operation.
Jean-Pierre stated, “We hope to ensure that these conversations continue because protecting the lives of those Palestinians is crucial.”
As news of Israel advancing its military operation in Rafah surfaced, CIA Director William Burns arrived in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Friday to negotiate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages with Hamas.
Hamas is considering the latest proposals for a ceasefire and hostage release presented by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, hoping to avoid an Israeli military operation in Rafah.
Mediators are publicly pressuring Hamas to accept the terms of the ceasefire agreement, including releasing the Israeli hostages taken on October 7th to exchange them for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu stated that regardless of reaching a ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces will enter Rafah as it is the last stronghold of Hamas.
On Friday, Blinken reiterated at the Sedona Forum that the only obstacle between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is Hamas.
On October 7th of last year, Hamas militants launched a sudden attack on Israel, killing at least 1,200 people and taking 253 individuals hostage. It is believed that around 130 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza to this day.